2004 Toyota 4Runner Complaint Log

2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HE LEFT THE DEALER, THE TAC LIGHT AND ANOTHER TROUBLE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD.

2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NATIONAL SAFETY RECALL COMPLAINT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WANTED HIM TO SIGN AN ARBITRATION AGREEMENT AS A CONDITION TO ADDRESS THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE SIGNED THE AGREEMENT, BUT HE ALSO WROTE IT WAS UNDER PROTEST/DURESS. *JB

HAD TO REPLACE RIGHT FRONT CALIPER AT 55,000 MILES AFTER IT FROZE UP AFTER NEW PADS WERE INSTALLED--IT WAS DONE BY A LOCAL GARAGE BY A FORMER TOYOTA TECH.--HAD IT CHECKED BY A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AT 57,000 MILES AND THEY SAID IT WAS ALL GOOD--STILL DID NOT FEEL RIGHT--HAD IT CHECKED AGAIN BY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AT 66,000 MILES AND THEY SAID IT WAS ALL GOOD AGAIN--AT 94,000 MILES STILL NOT WORKING VERY WELL AND HAD IT SERVICE BY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHICH SAID IT WAS FINE--AT 105,0000 MILES BOTH FRONT CALIPERS ARE FROZEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE CEL (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT) CAME ON AND THE VSC TRAC AND VSC OFF LIGHTS CAME ON AS WELL. APPARENTLY TOYOTA DISABLES VSC WHEN THE CEL IS TRIGGERED. IN MY CASE, THE 2 TIMES IT HAS OCCURRED HAS BEEN DUE TO EMISSIONS RELATED FAILURES (1ST TIME THE CAT FAILED, 2ND TIME ONE OF THE O2 SENSORS FAILED). IN THE 1ST CASE, I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AS I WAS APPROACHING THE END OF THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY. THEY MADE THE REPAIRS AND CLEARED ALL THE CODES SO WASN'T AWARE THAT THE VSC SYSTEM WAS ACTUALLY DISABLED. THE 2ND TIME (O2 FAILURE) I REPLACED THE FAILED O2 SENSOR, THE CEL HAS CLEARED, HOWEVER THE VSC LIGHTS ARE STILL ON AND VSC IS DISABLED. I HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS THAT TOYOTA DISABLES KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS DUE TO EMISSIONS RELATED FAILURES ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE INHERENT STABILITY PROBLEMS WITH SUV'S. IF I'M ON A TRIP WITH MY FAMILY AND AN O2 SENSOR FAILS, OR A CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILS, OR THE GAS CAP FAILS, KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS THAT HELP KEEP MY FAMILY AND I SAFE SHOULD NOT BE DISABLED! I THINK THIS DESERVES AN INVESTIGATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE FRONTAL DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 06/07/11*LJ UPDATED 07/08/11

THIS MORNING I STOPPED AT THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY TO WAIT FOR THE GARAGE DOOR TO GO UP. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND STOPPED. AFTER I WAS STOPPED MY 4RUNNER ACCELERATED HARD AND I HAD TO USE BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE TO HOLD IT. I SHIFTED IN TO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE. IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL IN TO THE GARAGE AND PARK. IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. I WAS IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE MODE DUE TO SNOW AND ICE ON THE ROADS. AFTER I PARKED IN THE GARAGE, I SHIFTED BACK TO TWO WHEEL DRIVE. *LN

2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT *TGW THE NOISE WAS A FAINT CLICKING, INCREASING ONLY SLIGHTLY IN VOLUME OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE INNER SHAFT SHOWED GROOVES WHERE THE BEARING RACE HAD CUT INTO THE STEERING SHAFT TO THE EXTENT WHERE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED COMPLETE STEERING LOCK-UP AT ANY TIME. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE BUT IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A STOP AND SHE THEN ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE AGAIN BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSFER HOSE WAS FRACTURED AND BOTH REAR AXLES WERE LEAKING. THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 1/5/12*CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACUTER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT AN INSPECTOR WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE INSPECTOR STATED THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY DRINK SPILLAGE IN THE CUP HOLDER BECAUSE THE AIR BAG MODULE WAS LOCATED UNDER THE CUP HOLDER. THE INSPECTOR COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

BOTH FRONT (LEFT AND RIGHT) CALIPER SEIZED. LOWER INSIDE PISTON SEIZED AND WOULD NOT RETRACT. REPLACED BOTH CALIPERS WITH RE-MANUFACTURED PARTS FROM A1 CARDONE AND LESS THAN 1 YEAR AND 5000 MILES LATER BOTH CALIPERS HAVE SEIZED AGAIN CREATING WHEEL SHAKE WHEN BRAKING ABOVE 40 MPH. I AM NOT THE FIRST OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND AM NOT SURE HOW MANY TIMES IN THE PAST IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET HAS REVEALED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR 4TH GENERATION 4RUNNERS. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS A DEIGN FLAW THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA AS I CAN FIND NO "UPGRADED" REPLACEMENT. *TR

TOOK MY 4RUNNER TO BE SERVICED AND I WAS TOLD THAT BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS HAD FROZEN PISTONS. BECAUSE ONLY ONE PISTON WORKED, THEY DAMAGED THE ROTORS AND WORN OUT THE PADS UNEVENLY. THIS IS A CAR THAT ALWAYS SERVICED BY DEALER ACCORDING TO TOYOTA SPECIFICATIONS WITH 67K MILES. THE JOB REPAIR COST ME $2000. NOT ONLY THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS BUT ALSO A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORTS EDITION. I ALWAYS HEAR RATTLING NOISE WHEN I AM DRIVING 40 MPH. RECENTLY, I TOOK MY CAR TO TOYOTA TO HAVE THIS ISSUE SERVICED. THEY SAID IT WAS THE TRANSFER CASE. I WAS GOING DRIVE IT OUT OF STATE WITH MY WIFE FOR OUR ANNIVERSARY, BUT THEY RECOMMENDED I NOT TO DRIVE IT. THEY REPLACED THE TRANSFER CASE. IT WAS GOING TO COST ME OVER $1300, BUT LUCKILY I HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY.I HAVE HEARD ABOUT POWER TRAIN PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL OF TOYOTA THAT LED TO IT BEING RECALLED. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS WHEN I COME TO A STOP I HEAR A CLUNKING NOISE. WHEN I MENTIONED THIS ISSUE, TOYOTA SAID ITS THE 4WHEEL DRIVE, BUT I WASN'T USING THE 4W DRIVE WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURRED FOR ME. EVEN NOW ITS STILL A PROBLEM. PLEASE ADVISE ON WHAT I SHOULD DO BEFORE SOMETHING GOES WRONG. *TR

THE PASSENGER SEATBELT IN THE TOYOTA 4RUNNER TEARS. THE 3RD SEATBELT IN THE 4RUNNER I OWN IS TEARING AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED FOR THE 4TH TIME. EACH TIME THE DEALERSHIP CHARGES FOR A NEW SEATBELT AND INSTALLATION. THE PASSENGER SEATBELT IS NOT USED DAILY. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY CONCERN! YESTERDAY I MET A PERSON THAT HAS A 2006 RAV AND THAT VEHICLE HAS A TORN PASSENGER SEAT BELT. I QUESTION IF IN A CRASH IF ANYONE IN MY 2004 4RUNNER WOULD BE SAFE! WHAT CAN BE DONE TO MAKE TOYOTA CONFORM TO MAKE THEIR SEATBELTS SAFE? *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND KNEE. A PASSENGER WAS ALSO REPORTED INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED IN THE TYPE OF FRONTAL CRASH HE WAS INVOLVED IN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED HE NOTICED THAT 85% OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS TORN. HE ORDERED A SEAT BELT FROM A COMPANY OTHER THAN THE DEALER AND IT WAS INSTALLED BY A CERTIFIED TOYOTA TECHNICIAN. FOUR DAYS LATER, 90% OF THAT SEAT BELT WAS TORN. ONLY A QUARTER OF AN INCH OF THE SEAT BELT WAS CONNECTED. THE SECOND SEAT BELT FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,369

2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER BRAKE CALIPERS SEEM TO SEIZE AT 10K MILES. THE BOOTS ON THE PISTONS HOLD WATER, AND DURING WINTER GATHER SIGNIFICANT CORROSION FROM ROAD SALT. TOYOTA REPLACES WITH THE SAME PART, BUT THESE FAIL IN THE SAME MANNER. *TR

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION ON HER BRAKES AND THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE FRONT CALIPERS WERE RUSTED.THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH FRONT CALIPERS, WHICH COST THE CONTACT $1116. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,364.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE MECHANIC LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE FUEL PUMP. THE FUEL PUMP WAS FRACTURED AND HAD METAL PIECES WITHIN THE PUMP. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT IF THEY RECEIVED ENOUGH COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP FAILURE IN HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL THEN THEY COULD POSSIBLY OPEN AN INVESTIGATION. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

SEVERE CHASSIS RUST, POSSIBLY AFFECTING VEHICLE AND PERSONAL SAFETY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD RUMBLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THE CALIPER ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WAS LOCKED AND EXTREMELY HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CALIPER AND BRAKE PAD ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY CORRODED WHICH CAUSED THE TOW BAR TO FRACTURE AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE SEVERITY OF THE CORROSION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF THE POTENTIAL FOR THE REAR WHEELS TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE CORROSION. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO A-1 TOYOTA (50 AMITY RD, NEW HAVEN, CT 06515, (877) 734-6467) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH AND TAPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL AND IT BECAME STUCK AND RAPIDLY ACCELERATED THE CAR. I HAD TO SHIFT THE CAR TO NEUTRAL AND TAP THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO GET THE GAS PEDAL UNSTUCK. THE CAR HAD BEEN ON CRUISE CONTROL EARLIER BUT AT THE TIME THAT THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFF. HITTING THE BRAKE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY DISENGAGE THE GAS PEDAL AS WOULD BE EXPECTED IF IT WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL. *TR

2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5, WITH JUST UNDER 74K MILES ON IT, HAS A FRAME WITH SEVERE CORROSION, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE FRONT CALIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE A CEASED LOWER PISTON. I'VE TALKED TO THE DEALER ABOUT ALL OF THESE ISSUES, BUT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME. I GOT THE SAME STORY FROM THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE HOT LINE. THEY BLAME THE SALT, BUT CAN'T EXPLAIN WHY ITS WORSE ON THE 4RUNNER THAN OTHER VEHICLES. I SHOULD MENTION THAT THE PEOPLE AT THE DEALER AND ON THE HOT LINE WERE VERY FRIENDLY. THEY SAID THEY NOTED THE ISSUE AND WOULD MONITOR THE CALLS FOR TRENDS. I FELT UNSATISFIED WITH THIS, SO I AM FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. I'M A LITTLE ANNOYED BY THEIR UNWILLINGNESS TO ADDRESS SAFETY ISSUES WITHOUT A MAJOR ACCIDENT OR CONSUMER REPORT RATING. *TR

FROZEN PISTONS ON INSIDE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. UPON RESTART, THE ENGINE REVVED SO THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKES WERE SLIGHTLY WARPED BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE FOR THE ACCELERATION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 78,500.

BRAKE PEDAL SPONGY, NOT STOPPING LIKE IT SHOULD ( EXTENDED STOPPING RANGE) UNEVEN BRAKE PAD WEAR SMELL OF HOT BRAKES WHEN USED HARD. *TR

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD DEVELOPED MULTIPLE CRACKS AND HE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD BECOME EXPOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO FILED A REPORT AND OFFERED TO PAY HALF OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. ...UPDATED 10/19/12 *BF

2004 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER DASH CRACKING ABOVE GLOVE BOX/ AIR BAG IN TWO PLACES. GETTING LARGER DAILY. *TR

WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THAT MY FRONT ABS WOULD NOT ACTIVATE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. BRAKING DISTANCES BECAME A LOT LONGER. WHEN I WENT TO REPLACE MY FRONT BRAKES, I DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT LOWER BRAKE PISTON HAD FROZEN. IT WAS THE SAME FOR BOTH SIDES. TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP, AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING. HAD TO HAVE THE CALIPER REPLACED ON BOTH SIDES FOR A TOTAL OF $750. THIS IS THE SAME THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER OWNERS, WHICH CAN BE FOUND ON WWW.T4R.ORG. *TR

FOUR MONTHS AGO I PURCHASED A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LIMITED WITH APPROX. 82,000 MILES. A MONTH OR SO LATER, I APPROACHED A STOP SIGN AND AS I BRAKED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I STEPPED AS HARD AS I COULD ON THE BRAKE AND FORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE STOPPED. AT THE TIME, I WAS SCARED BUT THOUGHT THAT MAYBE BY MISTAKE, MY FOOT WAS SPANNING BOTH PEDALS (I DIDN'T THINK SO BUT COULDN'T BE 100% POSITIVE). YESTERDAY, I APPROACHED ANOTHER INTERSECTION WITH MY FOOT CLEARLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AS I WAS COMING TO A CONTROLLED STOP WHEN, SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AGGRESSIVELY. AGAIN, I WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN BY ALMOST STANDING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THOUGH NOT ENOUGH TO STOP ME FROM GOING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WITHOUT STOPPING. THIS TIME THERE WAS NO DOUBT - THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE PEDAL DID NOT STICK AS MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AS I WAS COASTING TO A STOP. THIS VEHICLE DEFINITELY HAS A DEFECT AND IT WAS VERY SCARY. MY WIFE WILL NOT DRIVE THIS CAR AND I ONLY WILL NOW IF I ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO. *TR

MY 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER SKIDDED IN STOP LIGHT WHEN THERE WAS LITTLE ICE ON STREET. WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE THE CAR AFTER STOPPING A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE MAKES HUMMING NOISE AND SKID MAKING IT OUT OF CONTROL. IN WINTER 2009, SIMILAR INCIDENT HAPPENED ON I-69 (20 MILES EAST OF FLINT, MI), WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE THE SUV AND LOST CONTROL AS THE CAR SKIDDED OFF THE ROAD CAUSING INJURY. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE IS A DESIGN DEFECT WITH THE ACCELERATION SYSTEM. THIS MAY BE LIFE THREATENING AS I AM ALWAYS WORRIED TO DRIVE THE CAR. THIS SERIOUS DESIGN PROBLEM WITH 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR SAFETY. *TR

FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH REMOTE, KEY, INSIDE LATCH, ETC. DOOR WILL MAKE SOUNDS WHEN ELECTRICAL LOCKS ARE PUSHED, SO IT IS NOT LIKELY THE ACTUATOR (WHICH HAS ALSO BEEN A PROBLEM IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL). INTERNET RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THERE IS A COMPONENT WITHIN THE LATCH, A SPRING OF SOME VARIETY, THAT BREAKS AND/OR FALLS DOWN INTO THE DOOR COMPARTMENT. CONTACTED DEALER WHO WAS VERY BUSY AND HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM, BUT WE COULD BRING IT IN AND FOR 85 DOLLARS/HR, THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT AND SEE. WELL, WE ARE NOT EVEN ABLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN. IF A CRASH WERE TO HAPPEN, SOMEONE COULD GET STUCK INSIDE, AS CURRENTLY ONE HAS TO CRAWL FROM DRIVER SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE TO EXIT VEHICLE. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, ESPECIALLY WITH THE NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE, THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED AT THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE.

2004 TOY 4RUNNER. DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR IS LOOSE AND "DROPS" INTO THE DRIVERS FILED OF VIEW, ESPECIALLY FOR A TALL DRIVER LIKE ME... LEANING FORWARD WILL ALLOW THE DRIVER TO HIT HEAD AGAINST IT. THIS STARTED A LITTLE WHILE AGO, AND IS NOW JUST ONGOING. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER LIMITED. GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, 0800 HRS, 1/26/2010. WITH ENGINE ROARING, I HAD TO FIRMLY PUT ON BRAKE AND HIT THE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES, BEFORE IT RELEASED. I ALMOST WENT THRU AN INTERSECTION. TOOK TO TOYOTA DEALER SAME WEEK. THEY SAID IT HAS AN ELECTRONIC GAS PEDAL. OPERATES ON A MOTOR. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER, WHICH I BELIEVE IS NOT SUBJECT TO A RECALL, AND ON THREE OCCASIONS THE ACCELERATOR HAS BECOME STUCK. EACH TIME IT OCCURRED WHEN I ACCELERATED MORE THAN NORMAL, AND EACH TIME ONCE MY FOOT WENT OFF THE PEDAL THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. EACH TIME I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT BY BRAKING. TWO OF THE OCCASIONS OCCURRED BACK TO BACK LESS THAN A MINUTE APART. I AM SOMEWHAT AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AND CERTAINLY AFRAID TO ACCELERATE HARD. THERE WAS A FLOOR MAT AND I HAVE REMOVED IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WITHOUT WARNING. SHE APPLIED EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT RELEASE THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT AN INSPECTOR WITHIN THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT WOULD DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE SINCE IT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,400. UPDATED 03/04/10 *BF

DASHBOARD IS RIDDLED WITH CRACKS ALL OVER. MANY OF THE CRACKS FOLLOW ALONG THE SAME LINES AS OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE POSTED PICS OF THEIR DASHBOARD ONLINE. MY OTHER CAR FROM A SIMILAR YEAR, HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND THAT MANUFACTURER REPLACED IT WITH A GOODWILL REPAIR, PROBABLY TO AVOID A FULL RECALL. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE FOR MULTIPLE MANUFACTURERS FOR CARS IN THE EARLY TO MID 2000S. *TR

THE DASHBOARD ON MY TOYOTA IS CRACKING REAL BAD. IT GETS WORSE EACH YEAR. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH 4 RUNNERS AND THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS WELL. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY AIRBAGS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME HAD EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RIVERA TOYOTA OF MT. KISCO (LOCATED AT 325 N BEDFORD RD, MT KISCO, NY 10549, (914) 666-5181), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR VARIOUS PARTS OVER THE YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,720.

MAJOR RUST ON FRAME AND OTHER MECHANICAL PARTS. NOT EXPOSED TO SALT DOES NOT OCCUR WITH MY OTHER VEHICLES. *TR

FROZEN FRONT BRAKE CALIPER RESULTING IN BRAKE PART FAILURE AND BRAKE PEDAL PULSATING. OCCURRED AGAIN MAY 2010. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WITH MANY TOYOTA TRUCKS. *TR

SUDDEN ACCELERATION , WHERE THE BRAKES HAVE TO BE APPLIED TO STOP VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2004. *TR

THIS INCIDENT WAS 1ST NOTICED 12/9/2009. I STARTED MY CAR IN THE MORNING AND LET IT WARM UP, WHEN I WENT TO GET IN IT A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE HEATER FAN WOULD NOT WORK. SINCE THEN, I FIND THAT THE HEATER FAN WILL WORK OFF AND ON, SEEMS TO BE AFTER VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP A BIT -MAYBE (NOT SURE OF THE RHYTHM OR REASON). I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND FEAR GETTING STUCK OR STRANDED WITH NO HEAT! I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN DECEMBER OF 2008 AND DROVE IT ALL LAST WINTER WITH NO PROBLEMS-THEREFORE I AM CONCERNED AS TO WHEN AND WHERE IT WILL MALFUNCTION AGAIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON A HIGHWAY WITHOUT HIS FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN BUT THE VEHICLE KEEPS GOING AT ABOUT THE SAME SPEED. CONTACT STATES THAT HE HAS TO BRAKE VERY HARD TO GET THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE THE TURN. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 72,000. CONTACT HAS NOT CALLED THE DEALER.

AROUND THE END OF 2010, I NOTICED A CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL DEALER TO SEE IF THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE COULD LOOK AT IT AT HIS NEXT VISIT. INSTEAD OF THE REP LOOKING AT IT AT A LATER DATE THE SERVICE MANAGER HAD ME BRING THE VEHICLE BACK SO HE COULD TAKE A PICTURE OF IT. I GOT NO HELP FROM THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER. MID 2011 THE ONE CRACK HAS DEVELOPED INTO 2 CRACKS WITH ONE BEING APPROX 15 INCHES LONG AND THE OTHER APPROX 4-5 INCHES LONG. DECEMBER 2011 I CALLED THE DEALER BACK AGAIN TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE FACTORY REP AND I WAS TOLD TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER CUSTOMER SERVICE PHONE NUMBER AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO CALL MY LOCAL DEALER. I CALLED BACK TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME HE WOULD CALL ME WHEN HE KNEW WHEN THE REP WOULD BE AT THE DEALERSHIP. ONE MONTH LATER, AFTER NOT RECEIVING A PHONE CALL I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER BACK AND WAS TOLD HE STILL DID NOT KNOW THE REPS SCHEDULE YET. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF I AM INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY, HOW WILL THESE CRACKS AFFECT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG?? WILL THE DASHBOARD BREAK INTO PIECES WHEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS AND HURL PLASTIC PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD TOWARDS THE OCCUPANT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AT GREAT SPEEDS INSTEAD OF CLEANLY COMING OUT OF THE DASH. *TR

WHILE DRIVING IN CRUISE CONTROL, AND FOOT COMPLETELY OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY SURGE AHEAD IN WHAT FEELS LIKE GOING INTO PASSING GEAR. IT DOES THIS AT VARIOUS TIMES. AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING. SLAMMING ON THE BRAKE SEEMS TO STOP IT. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 4 RUNNER I RECENTLY HAVE HAD A STEERING VIBRATION THAT IS MAKING ME CRAZY IT FLUTTERS AROUND 55 TO 65 I HAVE GONE TO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND INDEPENDENT SHOPS PLUS I HAVE DONE LOTS OF TESTING WITH NO LUCK ON A PERMANENT FIX I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR 6 MONTHS SINCE THE PROBLEM REALLY STARTED THE ONLY THING I CAN FIND IS THIS TSB ST001R-05 050908 STEERING THAT RELATES TO MY PROBLEM I HAVE HAD 9 NEW SETS OF TIRES AND A SET OF NEW WHEELS AND ALL NEW SUSPENSION NO MATTER WHAT I DO I CAN NOT GET RID OF THE FLUTTER IT SOME TIMES PERFECTLY SMOOTH EVEN OVER BUMPS SOMETIMES IT IS WOBBLING ALL OVER I HAVE ALREADY ENCOUNTERED A COLLISION DUE TO THIS ISSUE IT WAS JUST A FENDER BENDER NO MAJOR DAMAGE BUT THE ONLY THING LEFT FOR ME TO DO IS FIND OUT MORE ON THIS TSB I DISCOVERED I REALLY LIKE MY 4 RUNNER BUT I CANT HAVE THIS DEATH TRAP PUTTING PEOPLE IN JEOPARDY PLEASE HELP WITH ANY INFO THANKS. *TR

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I AM AN ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, SPORT EDITION. TWO SAFETY ISSUES: 1) DURING THE FALL OF 2009 ON THE WAY BACK FROM FRANKLIN VA, I EXPERIENCE A CONTINUOUS ACCELERATION AFTER MY FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM THE GAS PADDLE, SPEED EXCEEDED 80 MPH AND AFTER TAPPING THE GAS AND PULLING UP ON THE GAS PADDLE, THE SPEED RETURNED TO NORMAL AND I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE 4RUNNER ' [XXX] 2) AIR MONITORING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT KEPT GOING OFF, HAVE HAD REPAIRED DURING WARRANTY PERIOD AND IS NOT RESOLVED CURRENTLY MILEAGE: 49,892. *TR